McLaren Vale - Trott's View (a new book about McLaren Vale): Keith reviews the book
There's no mistaking the manicured swathes of vineyards, almond and olive groves against the feminine folds of the Willunga Hills - it has to be McLaren Vale.
It's easy, so easy to fall under the McLaren Vale spell and that's exactly what happened to the bloke at the very centre of our story today - the late Greg Trott. Or maybe in his case McLaren Vale fell under his spell? The McLaren Vale region was his universe, especially his beloved Wirra Wirra Winery.
The entrance to the winery says a lot about his approach to life. It's the biggest reg-gum post and rail fence you're ever likely to see and appropriately he called it Woodhenge - no doubt with tongue firmly planted in his cheek.
It says a lot about the man who resurrected the historic Wirra Wirra Winery. When he took over it was little more than a collection of tumbled down stone walls and a few old wine tanks. But Greg's grand vision - and a little pig-headed determination saw the fiery coloured ironstone walls rise again to be bathed in the vale's warming sunsets.
Greg Trott's obsession with McLaren Vale has been honoured in a new book - simply called 'Trott's View'. Sadly, he never saw his idea become a reality, losing his battle with cancer in 2005 but his enthusiasm was so infectious a network of mates, like Tony Brooks kept his vision alive. Tony reckons Greg was simply in love with the place.
Tony Brooks: "I don't think there is a better word - he was in love with it and it's because he always seemed to have time to appreciate the good things about the place..."
Greg Trott was a man of vision and he loved his McLaren Vale region so much he spent his life guarding it, developing it and promoting it. In a tower above his Wirra Wirra Winery, is Trott's bell.
His original idea was for a steam-powered whistle that could be heard reverberating through the valley. But that plan came unstuck when he realised he'd also need a boiler... then a stoker. A bell would do and after years of searching for an appropriate gong, Tony found this one in an Adelaide builder's yard.
Tony: "I rang Greg up and said 'Trotty, bring your chequebook and the ute - I've found the whistle'.
Greg Trott didn't do anything by halves and that goes for the book too. It's a stunning essay in photos, which capture the essence of his beloved home. There's the usual homage to the area's main claim to fame - wine. The struggle against the elements, the rush to prune the vines and the blind panic during vintage is all depicted.
Tony: "But in between there are lovely periods of quiet when you can contemplate things and you realise how lucky we are to have places like this of incredible beauty to look at."
McLaren Vale's special connection with the sea is a strong theme in the book. Icons like Maslins Beach, Port Willunga and Aldinga are featured but there are also fun moments like the locals playing on the beach... and the fishermen who spent a lifetime selling their catch locally.
Then there are simply the vale's characters... the faces, the wags, the workers, the artists - the people who know how lucky they are to live here.
Tony: "It's about the people and the landscape and the life of the place. There's as much about almonds and quarries and slate and coloured sands and cliffs and beach and painters..."
There is a serious side - like the call to halt what he called the 'lava of houses that is oozing' it's way towards the vale. Through short essays and stunning photos the book reminds the people of McLaren Vale how lucky they are and they need to be careful with their patch.
When Trotty finally parted company with this world in vintage time in 2005, a couple of thousand people walked to the lovely rural cemetery, which is his final resting-place. His family has raised an appropriate memorial - simple ironstone. The book too, 'Trott's Vision' is a beautiful memorial and a lovely keepsake for any of us who have shared in his love for McLaren Vale.
'McLaren Vale - Trott's View' is published by Wakefield Press and is available at good book stores and most McLaren Vale cellar doors. Please email info@postcards-sa.com.au if you have any further questions.
'McLaren Vale - Trott's View'
Published by Wakefield Press
Available from good book stores and McLaren Vale Cellar Doors
RRP $79.95Published 4th May 2008
